Is there danger lurking in your diet soda habit? There are highly debated health risks linked to consumption of sugar substitutes, but there's another dangerous side effect associated with drinking diet sodas.

Here's the dark side to that diet drink: The sugar substitutes used in diet sodas may actually disable your appetite control center, making you feel hungrier than you actually are and causing you to overeat.

Wait - didn't you switch from regular soda to diet because you were trying to lose weight, not gain it? Before you ditch the diet swill and switch back to regular, consider this: The high-sugar content of your favorite fizzy isn't worth it either. Drinking soda causes your blood sugar levels to soar and then crash, increasing hunger levels and contributing to feelings of daytime fatigue and decreased mental clarity.

If you're concerned about an out-of-control appetite and are watching your waistline, water is always best. Being properly hydrated controls your appetite and benefits your overall health. A good rule of thumb: If you’re thirsty, stick with water!

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